145/97
20 November 1997
'NEW DEAL' GIVING IMPETUS FOR MORE JOBS IN RETAIL SECTOR, SAYS GEOFFREY ROBINSON
Retailers - large and small - were invited to follow the lead of some of their competitors in the sector by signing up to the Government's New Deal bringing young people into work, Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson said today.
Mr Robinson said:
"The retail sector represents 10 per cent of the workforce and has the potential to play a very important part in the delivery of the New Deal. What we are proposing is a new approach, engaging the business community as a partner in bringing people into work. It is working and businesses are signing up to get on board."
Mr Robinson, who was addressing the British Retail Consortium in London, said he was encouraged by news of retailers offering their support for the New Deal.
"The British Retail Consortium are playing an extremely valuable role by providing a link between the Employment Service and retailers who wish to participate in the New Deal. I would like to express my support for the commitment from the retail sector."
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Welfare to work is a key government commitment to help young people move from welfare to work and is a first step of reforming the welfare system around the work ethic.
'New Deal' is for the young and aimed at bringing unemployed 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for six months or more back into work as quickly as possible. It is a "gateway" of individualised help to assist them prepare for work, providing intensive help with job search, careers advice and guidance.